Villar: Governor Miranda Bridge in Davao del Norte now open

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar announced that the newly-widened Governor Miranda Bridge II is now formally open to vehicular traffic.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inauguration of the Miranda Bridge II which connects the Municipality of Carmen and the City of Tagum in Davao del Norte.

“The opening of the Governor Miranda Bridge is only the start of the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program. We are committed to building more bridges throughout the country,” Villar said.

"Located along Daang Maharlika that has an average daily traffic of over 26,000, Governor Miranda Bridge II serves as the main access of motorists from Davao City going to other parts of Davao Region and vice versa," he added.

Secretary Villar said the new bridge is seen to provide inter-regional linkage without hampering flow of traffic even during flooding occurrences in low-lying areas, thus encourage growth in investment and tourism.

“DPWH has widened the 650-lineal meter bridge from two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes with 18 spans and higher elevation at a costs of P757 million to protect the travelling public from the dangers of flooding in the area,” Villar said.

The new bridge was also designed to carry heavy load, which means it can accommodate more heavy cargo trucks carrying agricultural products that frequently ply along the major trunkline of Daang Maharlika.

“We see farmers benefiting from this project as agricultural lands abound in the area particularly banana and coconut plantations,” said Secretary Villar.

Governor Miranda Bridge II was first constructed in 2004 as an alternative route of travelers when the old Governor Miranda Steel Bridge becomes impassable due to flooding. The old bridge built in 1956 will be removed eventually.